Addressing Workplace Bias and Microaggressions Through Bystander/UPSTANDER Training

Grant Application

Rickquel Tripp, MD, MPH, FAEMS University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Proposed Innovation

Racial discrimination — unfair, differential treatment based on race — is pervasive in American workplaces. In 2019 alone, nearly 24,000 race-related discrimination charges were filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Negative consequences of discrimination for racial minorities include lower performance ratings, difficulty in attaining management roles, and lower acceptance as leaders. But emerging evidence has shown that bystanders who witness and confront racial discrimination can shift beliefs of perpetrators.

UPSTANDER training was developed by several UPMC clinicians to encourage hospital employees to intervene during incidents of discrimination. It offers clinicians and nonclinicians the knowledge and skills needed to address bias and microaggressions. Instead of standing by quietly, upstanders engage in support of a person or group being bullied or attacked. The goal of this project is to track and evaluate the efficacy of the UPSTANDER training program.

Improvements in Action

Over the past three years, this training has been delivered to more than 50 departments and divisions across UPMC and University of Pittsburgh. Most participants (94%) expressed satisfaction with the training and many from the resident/fellow leadership program indicated an increased ability to intervene during a bias event.

This two-phase project aims to establish a “proof of concept” for the UPSTANDER training program by clearly documenting the program’s impact on participants. Phase I will include surveys conducted pre-training, immediately after training, and two weeks post training. Phase II will involve a 45-minute simulation where participants who have completed UPSTANDER training can intervene in a bias event.

Intended Outcomes

This project is expected to improve UPSTANDER training by identifying the aspects of the program that are making an impact. This will set the stage for future modifications that can increase the effectiveness of training. More importantly, it’s anticipated that the project will lead to an expansion of UPSTANDER training at hospitals throughout the UPMC system and potentially serve as a national model for reducing bias during staff and patient interactions.